EUT
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2002
- Posts
- 35
I had an interesting conversation last night with a guy who lives in my parents’ neighborhood. He is a news anchor with the largest market-share local TV station in the area. He asked me how I liked my job, and I said something like “Its great, I just wish it paid a little better.” (I am a first year-FO with one of the bigger regionals) He looked at me a little puzzled and said what they all say… “I thought pilots made good money” I told him my annual salary was about 17K / year, and he about fell over he was so stunned. Up to that point I thought we were just having a casual conversation, but then he says to me “ I can’t believe with the responsibility you carry that you are paid that poorly.” What do you say? I just shrugged. Then he says “ I want to do a news story on this. People would be stunned to know that starting pilots make so little.” I said Okay. Then I realized he was serious and that’s when I got nervous. I have been working for years to get this job with this company, and I don’t have to tell all of you how many guys would love to take my place. So the last thing I want to do is start making waves my first year on the job, and then have some “trouble” on my next PC. I also happen to work a non-union airline, which makes me all the more nervous about talking to the media in any way that would reflect badly on my company.
I would love to get the word out on how ridiculous regional pilot salaries are, but not at the expense of my own job… I’ve worked too hard to get here. So, I mentioned that to the news anchor, and he said “We could silhouette you, altar your voice, etc.. or you could find some other guys who would be willing to take that risk. So that is where you guys come in. If you are a regional pilot making less than $20k / year, and would be willing to talk to this guy please PM me with your name, phone number, company name, and Email, and I will forward the info to the anchor. Also, If you think of comparisons that might add edge to the story feel free to make a suggestion. For instance: I thought it might make a good photo op to have a pilot in full uniform standing line for food stamps (yes, I get food stamps) or a copy of my last paycheck for a whopping $632.56 or a piece about a pilot who has a wife, two kids and still lives in his parents’ basement because 17K barely pays subsidized rent, let alone a house payment. Etc.. I also wondered if they would be interested in doing a story on that safety hazards of airlines like Gulfstream, and Tab renting out the right seat to “wannabes” What do you think?
EUT
I would love to get the word out on how ridiculous regional pilot salaries are, but not at the expense of my own job… I’ve worked too hard to get here. So, I mentioned that to the news anchor, and he said “We could silhouette you, altar your voice, etc.. or you could find some other guys who would be willing to take that risk. So that is where you guys come in. If you are a regional pilot making less than $20k / year, and would be willing to talk to this guy please PM me with your name, phone number, company name, and Email, and I will forward the info to the anchor. Also, If you think of comparisons that might add edge to the story feel free to make a suggestion. For instance: I thought it might make a good photo op to have a pilot in full uniform standing line for food stamps (yes, I get food stamps) or a copy of my last paycheck for a whopping $632.56 or a piece about a pilot who has a wife, two kids and still lives in his parents’ basement because 17K barely pays subsidized rent, let alone a house payment. Etc.. I also wondered if they would be interested in doing a story on that safety hazards of airlines like Gulfstream, and Tab renting out the right seat to “wannabes” What do you think?
EUT
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